Taking steps toward marine and coastal ecosystem-based management: an introductory guide

This document addresses Marine and Coastal Ecosystem-Based Management (EBM) as offering a valuable solution for harnessing marine and coastal ecosystems in adapting to climate change and other potential disasters. This guide seeks to assist countries and communities to take steps towards making marine and coastal ecosystem-based management operational - from strategic planning to on-site implementation. It outlines operational considerations in an accessible language, drawing upon practical experiences and lessons across the globe - from tropical coastlines to temperate estuaries and polar ocean ecosystems.

The guide is intended for planners and decision-makers in local, national and regional governments and communities across a broad spectrum of interests and uses. It is not a technical manual or textbook, rather it is an introduction to EBM principles and 'thinking', and provides an overview of core elements and pathways to getting started.